CPAWS Paddles the Rouge with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

June 18, 2016

Toronto – Today CPAWS Wildlands League celebrated its 3rd Annual Paddle the Rouge in a very special way with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Madame Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and their daughter Ella Grace. “We are deeply honoured to have the Prime Minister and his family join us today,” says Janet Sumner, Executive Director for the group.

“There are youth here who have never been in a boat (canoe or kayak) and many people here today have never visited the park. It is part of our mission at CPAWS Wildlands League to inspire the next generation who will be here for the park as stewards of what Ontario and Canada set in motion today,” Sumner added.

Paddle the Rouge is a one of kind community and fundraising event by CPAWS Wildlands League where people of all skills and experience can leisurely paddle the river and experience nature and wildlife in their own backyard.

CPAWS Wildlands League thanks Ontario Minister Duguid for his commitment to the park and welcomes his comments today that he will recommend to Cabinet that Ontario transfer the lands to enable the creation of Rouge National Urban Park.

The Ontario lands provide the only ecological connection for wildlife between the Oak Ridges Moraine and Lake Ontario. They are the heart of this park.

Rouge Park is located in the eastern Greater Toronto Area and houses much of the lower Rouge River watershed – one of the last flowing into western Lake Ontario to remain free of urban development. It protects a rare Carolinian forest and is home to over 1700 species of plants and animals, including 23 species at risk.

“From the red shouldered hawk and peregrine falcon to the butternut tree and the beautiful Monarch butterfly. They have a home here,” Sumner said.